March 21, 2018

SEIU Negotiations Update: Latest Loyola proposals offer significant compensation increases; SEIU still threatening a strike in early April

Loyola is currently in the midst of collective bargaining to reach our first contract with SEIU Local 73, which represents several hundred full- and part-time non-tenure track faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences. Loyola University Chicago and SEIU Local 73 met March 19 for their most recent College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) bargaining session. This session was added to the existing schedule in the hopes we could more quickly reach an agreement that is fair and reasonable.

Loyola presented a comprehensive economic package counterproposal, which includes significant increases in compensation (which would make Loyola CAS non-tenure-track faculty among the highest paid non-tenured faculty in Chicagoland), increased job security, and greater clarity around appointments/reappointments, including:

• A pay increase at the start of the 2018-19 academic year for all full-time and part-time faculty members in the CAS bargaining unit.
• A 35% increase to the standard per credit hour rate for part-time instructors without a terminal degree and a 33% increase to the standard per credit hour rate for part-time instructors with a terminal degree at the start of the 2018-19 academic year. This would result in a new minimum pay rate for part-time faculty with a terminal degree of $6,000 for a three-credit course. This is nearly $2,500 above the average compensation for part-time instructors teaching a three-credit course in Social Sciences, Humanities and Sciences at most other Chicago-area four-year universities and community colleges.
• Longer appointments for both full-time and part-time unionized faculty.
• A new classification of part-time faculty, known as “Adjunct Instructors,” which would come with a pay raise and a two-year appointment.  

These proposals represent dramatic improvements to the University’s previous proposals and address the majority of the Union’s concerns. We are hopeful the Union will work quickly with us to finalize this agreement. You can read more details about our negotiations with SEIU Local 73 on our public bargaining website.

Despite this progress, the SEIU is already talking about a strike in early April. A strike would disrupt our students’ education and the campus overall.  Instead, we wish the SEIU would focus, as we are, on working quickly to conclude a new agreement. Loyola does not want a strike, but we will be prepared if SEIU calls one.

If SEIU Local 73 calls a strike, our students’ intellectual, developmental and spiritual needs will remain our top priority:

• All striking faculty (whether in the bargaining unit or not) will not receive pay from Loyola during a strike.
• All Loyola buildings will be open during a strike, and University operations will continue as usual.
• However, even for a one-day strike, we estimate several hundred class periods could be canceled by striking faculty, potentially impacting at least one class for 6,000-8,000 students.
• Out of consideration for our students, faculty members are requested to update Sakai with a notification on whether or not you plan to teach your classes during an SEIU strike.

Please view this flyer posted on the bargaining website for additional information about the potential impact of a strike. Loyola and SEIU Local 73 will meet for their next bargaining session on March 28. In the meantime, please visit the CAS bargaining website for additional information and updates.